Centerville officials are concerned about the possibilities of Interstate 70 becoming a toll road and changes in how towns qualify for local paving funds. Road discussion Council President Dan Wandersee monitors legislation going through Indiana General Assembly before its session ends in April. During council’s Jan. 28 work session, he asked those attending to contact […]

Author Archives: Millie Martin Emery
Millicent Martin Emery is a reporter and editor for the Western Wayne News.
Most local grad rates between 90-100%
Nearly all Wayne County high schools neared or exceeded a 90% graduation rate for the Class of 2024. Three local schools surpassed Indiana’s average of 90.23%, which is the highest graduation rate since state officials began publishing data. Indiana’s rate was 88.98% in 2023. Centerville Senior High School Principal Brian Bellew said rates can vary widely […]
Expo offering food, kids’ fun, vendors
A new local event will feature food trucks, nearly 70 vendors, dancers, singers and a bounce house. The Black Expo will take place from noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at First Bank Kuhlman Center, 861 Salisbury Road N., Richmond. Organizers say the indoor event, which celebrates Black culture and heritage, is open to all, and […]
CACS adds grad paths, addresses weather
Centerville-Abington Community Schools board members learned about new graduation pathways through a medical training school and administrators’ criteria for weather-related delays or cancellations. Graduation pathways The board approved a memorandum of understanding with KLR Medical Certification Training School to help CACS meet Indiana’s new diploma requirements. Superintendent Mike McCoy and Director of Student Learning Tammy […]
Northeastern school board eager for new reading texts
Inspired by a presentation by two Northeastern Wayne educators, school board members enthusiastically expanded the purchase of new reading textbooks to an additional grade level. During the board’s Jan. 22 meeting, Tierney Stevenson, elementary principal, and Teresa Ervin, literacy coach, requested a purchase of textbooks for kindergarten through second grades for next fall and expanding […]
County’s housing ‘accelerator’ program launches
Housing developers are getting a new tool to use to increase housing stock. The Housing Accelerator Program, announced by Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County, will provide grants, with a maximum of $250,000 per project, to support public infrastructure projects in existing, unfinished, platted subdivisions. On Jan. 17, EDC staff announced that applications are now […]
RPD will provide officers for Richmond schools
Richmond Community Schools has approved Richmond Police Department taking on school security responsibilities. RCS had created and operated its own police department for nearly a year and a half, but during its Jan. 22 meeting, RCS board members signed a new memorandum of understanding with RPD. Rick Thalls, who had served as Richmond Community Schools […]
New ways to give for warming center
Although donors recently fulfilled all items on the Emergency Warming Center’s online wish list, a new website is accepting financial donations and meal donations are being scheduled. A Givebutter account has been created for financial gifts. Givebutter provides fundraising tools for national nonprofits such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America, United Way and Special […]
Live owls, mini horses joining ice festival
Despite this weekend being Wayne County’s 12th Meltdown Winter Ice Festival, organizers continue arranging new attractions to attract crowds. This year, animal friends will join the event. The volunteer-led Meltdown takes place in downtown Richmond from Thursday, Jan. 30, through Saturday, Feb. 1. Admission is free, although a few events require payment. Live owls are […]
Cambridge City addressing false alarms
Cambridge City’s council approved fining property owners when first responders are called to multiple false alarms, and increasing costs to open and close graves. At its Jan. 13 meeting, council approved an ordinance discussed in December that allows property owners two false alarms per year before a fee is charged. The third and fourth call […]